gunner’s mates that caused them to laugh — and Preithat and Achara to glance at each other and then smile in agreement.
“Do I dare ask what he said?” Bulatt asked.
“There is a Thai children’s story very much like your Beauty and the Beast, which the chief seems to think you and I vaguely resemble,” Captain Achara Kulawnit said, her cheeks flushing slightly. “But there may be some confusion as to which one of us is the fearsome beast.”
“Ah,” Bulatt said, having no idea what else to say.
“But the chief also suggested,” Achara went on, her eyes glistening with some additional emotions beyond her embarrassment, “that perhaps all of us — different as we are from each other but still working together easily — make a very good team. And if that is truly the case, as I believe it is, then the killers of my brother have much to fear.”
The Graystone Fields Ranch, Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Michael Hateley was sitting in one of the four over-stuffed leather chairs in the center of his hidden, luxurious, underground trophy room — all carefully positioned so that the occupants could easily view the coveted boar’s head, as well as Hateley’s entire endangered species collection — sipping at a glass of rich Merlot, and staring at the empty section of wall that he’d set aside for his world record Clouded Leopard trophy, when the intercom beeped.
“Yes?”
“A Mr. Emerson for you, sir, line one.”
“Thank you,” Hateley said as he reached over to the receiver on the nearby lamp stand and punched the hands-free button. “Marcus? Is that you?”
“It is, Mr. Hateley.”
“Where are you?”
“In Singapore; I’m afraid I have some bad news for you.”
Hateley sat silently in his chair, staring at the blank space on the wall, the rich wine forgotten, as Wallis explained how his Clouded Leopard trophy had been lost in a gun battle with Malaysian pirates. When Wallis finished, Hateley continued to stare at the wall for a few moments, and then sighed heavily.
“Are Quince and Jack okay?”
“They’re fine, Mr. Hateley; good as new in a few days.”
“I’m glad to hear it.” Hateley paused. “And I assume our options for more hunts in Thailand are still… limited?”
“To the extreme,” Wallis replied. “We had to shut down our operation in southeast Asia. It will be some time before we’re able to return.”
“I see.”
“On the other hand,” Wallis continued, “there is a bit of silver lining in all these dark clouds.”
“Really? And what would that be?”
“Your next hunt, Mr. Hateley,” Wallis replied. “How would you like to be the first man in a very long time to hunt and kill an extinct species?”
Part III: The Interpol Intervention
CHAPTER 19
Phuket Military Hospital
Prethat, Bulatt and Interpol Officer Pete Younger are sitting in the visitors waiting room of the Phuket Military Hospital. They all rise when Achara emerges from the intensive care ward with a strained look on her face.
“They say my father is doing as well as can be expected. The second surgery drained his strength, but his prognosis for recovery is good.”
“That’s wonderful news,” Bulatt said, smiling.
“Yes, I hope so.”
“Achara,” Bulatt went on, “this is Pete Younger, the friend I told you about.”
Achara turned and took Younger’s extended hand in both of hers.
“Yes, Khun Ged’s New Zealand Interpol friend who will help us find my brother’s killers. I am so pleased to meet you.”
“The pleasure is mine, Khun Achara,” Younger responded warmly. “Interpol has many resources for finding people, and I promise you that Ged and I will use them all.”
“But before you do that,” Prethat interrupted, “we must talk. There is a conference room on this floor that we can use.”
A few minutes later, the four investigators were sitting in stuffed chairs around a small table in a corner of the large conference room.
“I regret to inform you,” Prethat began, “that as the acting commander of our Wildlife Ranger Force, I am unable to remain a part of this investigation.”
“We understand, Major,” Bulatt acknowledged. “There will be many things requiring your attention while Colonel Kulawnit recovers.”
“That is sadly true, but I wish to remain aware of your progress. There may be ways I help, and it would please me greatly to do so.”
“You will receive a daily report,” Bulatt promised.
“That won’t be necessary. To keep Captain Kulawnit from taking an improper role in this case, I would like to assign her to your Interpol team. Is that acceptable?”
Bulatt blinked in surprise, then looked over at Achara and saw her nodding in smiling satisfaction.
“Very acceptable, Major.”
“Yes, welcome to the team, such as we are, Khun Achara,” Younger added with a cheerful smile.
“In that case,” Prethat said as he began handing out reports, “here is everything we know about the men who shot and killed our Rangers so far.
Bulatt, Younger and Achara started skimming through the reports. At the third page, Bulatt's head snapped up.
“You got a registration number for a Gulfstream-four that left Phuket Airport very early that morning?”
Prethat nodded. “Yes, but it’s registered to a charter company based in Bangkok, and not in the US as we had hoped.
“But why would a wealthy and presumably smart man use a US registered plane on an illegal hunt if he’s trying to remain covert?”
“Exactly,” Younger agreed. “Much better to return home from a larger nearby airport. If cost didn’t matter, I’d pick Singapore.
“Where his own plane might have been waiting for him, if we’re lucky,” Achara added.
Prethat nodded approvingly at the interplay of the newly-assembled Interpol team.
“Maybe we should visit this company and see what they can tell us about people who charter expensive planes for short trips at late hours?” Bulatt suggested.
“An excellent idea,” Prethat said. “And since I am going to Bangkok also, I will be happy to join you as my final part in your investigation.”
“You don't think we can convince these blokes to cooperate, Major? We do have our clever little ways,” Younger added with a smile.
“Yes, Colonel Kulawnit has often described how his Interpol friends gain cooperation from suspects,” Prethat replied. “I believe the term is verbal judo.
The Thai Major was smiling also, but his eyes were deadly cold.
“Just think of me as Plan B.”
The break room of the Draganov Research Center
